Sun. 1/24/10
Playoff Race Taking Shape
The 2009 - 10 prep season is moving along quickly, with many NEPSIHA teams having passed the 15-game minimum, and many more soon to do so. With that in mind, we feel it is time to publish the RPI standings to give teams a chance to get a rough idea as to where they stand in terms of making the playoffs. First, though, a few notes:
As not all of the teams have reached the 15-game mark, the data is still volatile, meaning the possibility of change is high, and making this a very early look into the possible playoff teams. Data is based on games submitted to USHR and is current through Saturday's games.
The RPI represents the largest single component of the playoff formula, and changes with each NEPSIHA game played. The top eight teams in the RPI will not necessarily be the eight teams in the top tier of the NEPSIHA Championship Tournament. As you may know, the RPI is just one part of the playoff formula. That said, it's quite useful for gaining a feel for where teams stand. The statistical sample is plenty large enough for that.
Right now, we're going to concentrate on the top 16 teams, as measured by RPI. Those 16 teams include two former Div. II teams - Dexter and Berwick.
The mathematics suggests a top tier that looks like this:
1. Kent
2. Nobles, Gunnery, Cushing
3. Westminster, Choate, Dexter, Belmont Hill, KUA, Milton
We will be fairly surprised if any of these ten teams don't wind up finishing in the top 16, and be a team under consideration for the top tournament.
Concerning Dexter: Dexter is currently seventh in the RPI and they have not lost or tied a game all season. However, they are one of only seven teams whose opponents' average winning percentage is below .400. As of now, their opponents' opponents' average winning percentage (which accounts for 54% of RPI) is last among teams under consideration and ranks 49th in NEPSIHA. The fact that they are in the top eight puts them in an advantage position in the second part of the overall playoff formula, but in order to assure a playoff berth Dexter must maintain perfection (or something very close to it). Their three games in February against Andover, Pomfret, and Tabor are must-win games if Dan Donato's boys hope to make the top tournament. When determining Dexter's strength through comparing mutual opponents, these three games will factor heavily.
The difference between teams in 16th and 17th place is a mere .008021.
These numbers are very fluid. Naturally, each game between two NEPSIHA teams affects the standings in many ways, so each game matters.
For a detailed explanation of how the new playoff system works, please refer to the USHR News of 11/1/09.
Current RPI Leaders:
1. Kent, 2. Nobles, 3. Gunnery, 4. Cushing, 5. Westminster, 6. Choate, 7. Dexter, 8. Belmont Hill, 9. KUA, 10. Milton, 11. Berkshire, 12. Berwick, 13. Avon, 14. NMH, 15. Salisbury, 16. Andover, 17. Brewster, 18. Exeter, 19. Tabor, 20. Hotchkiss, 21. Proctor, 22. Taft, 23. Pomfret, 24. Deerfield, 25. St. George's, 26. Hoosac, 27. Canterbury, 28. St. Paul's, 29. South Kent, 30. BB&N, 31. Brunswick, 32. St. Sebastian's, 33. Lawrence, 34. Tilton, 35. Governor's, 36. Middlesex, 37. New Hampton, 38. Groton, 39. Hebron, 40. Vermont Academy, 41. Winchendon, 42. Williston, 43. Kents Hill, 44. Holderness, 45. Loomis, 46. T-P, 47. Millbrook, 48. Thayer, 49. Rivers, 50. Brooks.
Sun. 1/31/10
This Week's Schedule
Mon. Feb. 1
Hebron @ NYA, 4:00 pm
Westminster @ Kingswood-Oxford, 5:00 pm
NEWHL @ Millbrook, 6:30 pm
Tues. Feb. 2
Tilton @ New Hampton, 4:30 pm
Wed. Feb. 3
Hotchkiss @ Berkshire, 2:00 pm
Tabor @ Rivers, 2:30 pm
Groton @ Middlesex, 2:30 pm
Proctor @ Vermont Academy, 2:30 pm
Andover @ Exeter, 2:45 pm
Brewster Academy @ Cushing, 3:00 pm
Loomis-Chaffee @ Gunnery, 3:00 pm
Taft @ Williston-Northampton, 3:00 pm
Thayer @ Brooks, 3:00 pm
Kimball Union vs. Kents Hill, 3:00 pm (@ Rochester, NH)
Canterbury @ Lawrenceville, 3:30 pm
St. Paul's @ St. Mark's, 3:30 pm
Stanstead College @ Tilton, 3:30 pm
Greenwich @ Kent, 4:00 pm
Lawrence @ Milton, 4:00 pm
Holderness @ Hebron, 4:00 pm
Noble & Greenough @ St. George's, 4:15 pm
Governor's @ BB&N, 4:30 pm
Westminster @ Pomfret, 4:30 pm
Berwick @ Pingree, 4:45 pm
Kingswood-Oxford @ Millbrook, 4:45 pm
Northfield Mt. Hermon @ Choate, 5:00 pm
NEWHL @ Deerfield, 6:30 pm
Thurs. Feb. 4
Princeton Day School @ Rye Country Day, 5:00 pm
Fri. Feb. 5
Pingree @ NYA, 4:00 pm
Hebron @ Middlesex, 4:30 pm
Cushing @ BB&N, 4:30 pm
New Hampton @ Vermont Academy, 4:30 pm
Northfield Mt. Hermon @ Kimball Union, 6:00 pm
Lawrence @ Tabor, 6:30 pm
Sat. Feb. 6
Taft vs. Andover, 12:30 pm (@ Harvard University)
Vermont Academy @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 1:00 pm
Hebron @ Rivers, 1:00 pm
Kents Hill @ Southfield, 1:00 pm
Greenwich @ Winchendon, 1:00 pm
Winsor @ Berwick, 1:45 pm
Brooks @ Noble & Greenough, 2:00 pm
Thayer @ Portsmouth Abbey, 2:00 pm
Bay State Breakers @ Middlesex, 2:00 pm
Lawrence @ Groton, 2:30 pm
Governor's @ St. George's, 3:00 pm
Tabor @ St. Mark's, 3:30 pm
Pingree @ Tilton, 4:00 pm
Proctor @ Kimball Union, 4:30 pm
Holderness @ NYA, 4:30 pm
Sun. Feb. 7
Rice @ Stanstead College, 11:00 am
Mon. Feb. 8
St. George's @ Portsmouth Abbey, 4:30 pm
Mon. 1/25/10
This Week's Schedule
Mon. Jan. 25
Taft @ Kent, 5:15 pm
Hill School @ Rye Country Day, 5:15 pm
Wed. Jan. 27
Gunnery @ Berkshire, 2:00 pm
Hotchkiss @ Millbrook, 2:00 pm
Tilton @ Exeter, 2:30 pm
Williston-Northampton @ Westminster, 2:30 pm
Andover @ Cushing, 3:30 pm
Choate @ Kent, 3:30 pm
Berwick @ Newton Country Day, 3:30 pm
Brewster Academy vs. Kents Hill, 3:30 pm (@ Conway, NH)
NYA @ Proctor, 3:30 pm
Kimball Union @ Holderness, 4:00 pm
Deerfield @ Pomfret, 4:15 pm
Taft @ Loomis-Chaffee, 4:15 pm
St. Paul's @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 4:30 pm
Thayer @ Rivers, 4:30 pm
Kingswood-Oxford @ Portsmouth Abbey, 4:30 pm
Groton @ Pingree, 4:30 pm
New Hampton @ Hebron, 4:45 pm
Middlesex @ Southfield, 4:45 pm
Lawrence @ Noble & Greenough, 5:00 pm
Canterbury @ Greenwich, 5:15 pm
NEWHL @ Vermont Academy, 6:00 pm
Thurs. Jan. 28
NEWHL @ Kimball Union, 6:00 pm
Fri. Jan. 29
NYA @ New Hampton, 4:00 pm
Holderness @ Tilton, 4:30 pm
Hebron @ Exeter, 5:00 pm
Cushing @ Noble & Greenough, 5:30 pm
Kent @ Millbrook, 5:30 pm
Loomis-Chaffee @ Kingswood-Oxford, 5:30 pm
St. George's @ Newton Country Day, 5:30 pm
Vermont Academy @ Winchendon, 6:00 pm
Princeton Day School @ Rye Country Day, 6:00 pm
Choate @ Lawrence, 6:15 pm
Cape Elizabeth HS @ Berwick, 7:00 pm
Sat. Jan. 30
BB&N @ Lawrence, 1:00 pm
Andover @ Lawrence, 1:00 pm
Loomis-Chaffee @ Greenwich, 1:00 pm
Governor's @ Tilton, 1:30 pm
Kingswood-Oxford @ Vermont Academy, 1:30 pm
Rivers @ Milton, 2:00 pm
Thayer @ Middlesex, 2:00 pm
Southfield @ Brooks, 2:00 pm
Pingree @ St. George's, 2:00 pm
Deerfield @ Andover, 2:15 pm
Canterbury @ Kent, 2:30 pm
Groton @ Holderness, 2:30 pm
Pomfret @ Northfield-Mt. Hermon, 3:00 pm
Westminster @ Gunnery, 3:00 pm
Williston-Northampton @ Hotchkiss, 3:30 pm
Hebron @ Brewster Academy, 3:45 pm
Taft @ Cushing, 4:30 pm
Berkshire @ Exeter, 5:00 pm
Northern Lights @ Millbrook, 5:30 pm
Sun. Jan. 31
Brewster Academy vs. Berkshire, 9:00 am (@ Phillips Exeter)
Mon. Feb. 1
Westminster @ Kingswood-Oxford, 5:00 pm
NEWHL @ Millbrook, 6:30 pm
Sun. 1/17/10
This Week's Schedule
Mon. Jan. 18
Bay State Breakers @ Kimball Union, 3:00 pm
St. Mary Bay View @ Pomfret, 4:00 pm
Gunnery @ Canterbury, 4:30 pm
NEWHL @ New Hampton, 6:00 pm
Tue. Jan. 19
Rivers @ NYA, 5:00 pm
NEWHL @ Berkshire, 6:30 pm
Wed. Jan. 20
Kimball Union @ Vermont Academy, 2:15 pm
Loomis-Chaffee @ Taft, 2:30 pm
St. Mark's @ Middlesex, 2:30 pm
Northfield Mt. Hermon @ Berkshire, 2:45 pm
Cushing vs. Hotchkiss, 3:00 pm (at Amherst College)
Brewster Academy @ Noble & Greenough, 3:00 pm
Kingswood-Oxford @ Williston-Northampton, 3:00 pm
New Hampton @ Winchendon, 3:00 pm
Millbrook @ Westminster, 3:00 pm
Southfield @ Governor's, 3:15 pm
St. Paul's @ Thayer, 3:15 pm
Choate @ Deerfield, 3:30 pm
Proctor @ Groton, 3:30 pm
Hebron @ NYA, 4:00 pm
Exeter @ Holderness, 4:30 pm
Kent @ Pomfret, 4:30 pm
BB&N @ Tabor, 4:45 pm
Portsmouth Abbey @ Newton Country Day, 5:00 pm
Lawrence @ Andover, 5:15 pm
NEWHL Pre-Prep @ Canterbury, 6:00 pm
Central Maine Hockey @ Kents Hill, 6:15 pm
Fri. Jan. 22
Pingry @ Rye Country Day, 4:45 pm
Concord-Carlisle HS @ Middlesex, 5:15 pm
Groton @ Rivers, 5:30 pm
Newton Country Day @ Pingree, 5:30 pm
Stanstead College @ Holderness, 6:00 pm
Governor's @ Kimball Union, 6:45 pm
Conn. Polar Bears @ Gunnery, 6:45 pm
Central Maine Hockey @ Hebron, 6:45 pm
NEWHL @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 7:00 pm
Sat. Jan. 23
Berwick @ Kimball Union, 1:00 pm
Deerfield @ Taft, 2:00 pm
NYA @ Thayer, 2:00 pm
Canterbury @ Kingswood-Oxford, 2:30 pm
Noble & Greenough @ Exeter, 2:30 pm
Greenwich @ Millbrook, 2:30 pm
St. Mark's @ Andover, 2:45 pm
Westminster @ Hotchkiss, 3:00 pm
Southfield @ Holderness, 3:15 pm
Brewster Academy @ Rivers, 3:30 pm
Pomfret @ Loomis-Chaffee, 4:00 pm
Tilton @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 4:15 pm
Williston-Northampton @ Kent, 4:30 pm
St. Paul's @ Milton, 4:30 pm
Vermont Academy @ New Hampton, 4:30 pm
Berkshire @ Lawrence, 5:15 pm
Pingree @ Portsmouth Abbey, 5:15 pm
Gardner HS @ Cushing, 6:30 pm
Proctor @ Hebron, 7:00 pm
Sun. Jan. 24
Berkshire @ Cushing, 11:00 am
Proctor @ Kents Hill, 12:45 pm
Lawrenceville @ Millbrook, 1:00 pm
Kents Hill @ NYA, 4:00 pm
Mon. Jan. 25
Taft @ Kent, 5:15 pm
Hill School @ Rye Country Day, 5:15 pm
Note: The Sat. Jan. 9 Tilton @ Millbrook game will not count as a NEPSAC contest due to an error in scheduling officials -- none were available for the game.
Sun. 1/10/10
This Week's Schedule
Mon. Jan. 11
Andover @ Brooks, 4:30 pm
Hotchkiss @ Gunnery, 5:00 pm
NEWHL @ NYA, 6:00 pm
Wed. Jan. 13
Tilton @ Holderness, 2:00 pm
Millbrook @ Canterbury, 2:30 pm
Deerfield @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 2:30 pm
Kents Hill @ Hebron, 2:45 pm
Kent @ Loomis-Chaffee, 3:00 pm
St. Mark's @ Lawrence, 3:00 pm
Middlesex @ Noble & Greenough, 3:00 pm
Brooks @ St. Paul's, 3:00 pm
Vermont Academy @ Groton, 3:00 pm
Exeter @ BB&N, 3:15 pm
Governor's @ Milton, 3:15 pm
New Hampton @ Andover, 3:30 pm
Pomfret @ Taft, 3:30 pm
Proctor @ Winchendon, 3:30 pm
Pingree @ Dana Hall, 3:30 pm
Williston-Northampton @ Berkshire, 4:00 pm
Cushing @ Brewster Academy, 4:00 pm
Greenwich @ Hotchkiss, 4:00 pm
Stanstead College @ Kimball Union, 4:00 pm
Westminster @ Choate, 4:15 pm
Portsmouth Abbey @ Winsor, 4:15 pm
Rye Country Day @ Kingswood-Oxford, 4:30 pm
Rivers @ St. George's, 4:30 pm
Berwick @ NYA, 5:00 pm
NEWHL @ Gunnery, 5:30 pm
Thurs. Jan. 14
Winsor @ Newton Country Day, 4:15 pm
Fri. Jan. 15
Proctor @ New Hampton, 3:30 pm
Rivers @ BB&N, 4:30 pm
NEWHL @ St. Mark's, 5:00 pm
Milton @ Southfield, 5:15 pm
Lawrence @ Pomfret, 5:30 pm
Newton Country Day @ Kingswood-Oxford, 6:00 pm
Sat. Jan. 16
Cushing @ St. Mark's, 1:30 pm
NYA @ Tilton, 1:30 pm
Deerfield @ Exeter, 2:00 pm
Loomis-Chaffee @ Hotchkiss, 2:00 pm
Lawrence @ Brooks, 2:00 pm
Milton @ Groton, 2:00 pm
Stanstead College @ Hebron, 2:00 pm
Andover @ St. Paul's, 2:15 pm
Kingswood-Oxford @ Canterbury, 2:30 pm
Proctor @ Pingree, 2:45 pm
Noble & Greenough @ Berkshire, 3:00 pm
Westminster @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 3:00 pm
Thayer @ Southfield, 3:00 pm
Winchendon @ Rivers, 3:00 pm
Brewster Academy @ Tabor, 3:30 pm
Holderness @ Kimball Union, 3:30 pm
Middlesex @ Governor's, 4:00 pm
Taft @ Choate, 4:30 pm
Williston-Northampton @ Gunnery, 4:30 pm
Portsmouth Abbey @ Vermont Academy, 5:00 pm
NEWHL @ Kents Hill, 6:00 pm
Lawrenceville @ Kent, 6:30 pm
Sun. Jan. 17
Rothesay School @ Kents Hill, 2:00 pm
Mon. Jan. 18
Bay State Breakers @ Kimball Union, 3:00 pm
St. Mary Bay View @ Pomfret, 4:00 pm
Gunnery @ Canterbury, 4:30 pm
NEWHL @ New Hampton, 6:00 pm
Sun. 1/3/10
This Week's Schedule
Mon. Jan. 4
NEWHL @ Loomis-Chaffee, 7:00 pm
Wed. Jan. 6
Noble & Greenough @ Rivers, 1:45 pm
New Hampton @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 2:30 pm
Brewster Academy @ Andover, 3:00 pm
Pomfret @ Exeter, 3:00 pm
BB&N @ Southfield, 3:30 pm
Tabor @ St. George's, 3:30 pm
Thayer @ St. Mark's, 3:30 pm
Proctor @ Berwick, 3:30 pm
Kingswood-Oxford @ Kent, 5:00 pm
Hingham High School @ Milton, 5:30 pm
Portledge School @ Rye Country Day, 5:45 pm
Conn. Polar Bears @ Williston-Northampton, 6:00 pm
Westminster @ Greenwich, 6:00 pm
NEWHL @ Tilton, 6:00 pm
Thurs. Jan. 7
Thayer vs. BB&N, 2:30 pm (at Fenway Park)
Tilton @ Berwick, 5:00 pm
NEWHL @ Tabor, 6:30 pm
Fri. Jan. 8
Noble & Greenough @ Thayer, 4:00 pm
New Hampton @ Holderness, 4:30 pm
Hebron @ BB&N, 5:00 pm
Kingswood-Oxford @ Taft, 5:00 pm
NYA @ St. George's, 6:30 pm
NEWHL @ Proctor, 6:30 pm
Sat. Jan. 9
NYA @ Newton Country Day, 11:00 am
Lawrence @ Cushing, 12:30 pm
Noble & Greenough @ Deerfield, 1:00 pm
Choate @ Andover, 1:15 pm
Kimball Union @ Canterbury, 2:00 pm
Southfield @ Exeter, 2:00 pm
Groton @ Governor's, 2:00 pm
Berwick @ Portsmouth Abbey, 2:00 pm
Pingree @ Hebron, 2:00 pm
Greenwich @ Gunnery, 2:00 pm
Brooks @ Rivers, 2:00 pm
New Hampton @ Proctor, 2:00 pm
Westminster @ Taft, 2:30 pm
St. George's @ St. Mark's, 2:30 pm
Brewster Academy @ BB&N, 3:00 pm
Vermont Academy @ St. Paul's, 3:00 pm
Thayer @ Milton, 3:15 pm
Winchendon @ Northfield Mt. Hermon, 3:30 pm
Hotchkiss @ Pomfret, 4:00 pm
Tabor @ Williston-Northampton, 4:30 pm
Middlesex @ Holderness, 4:30 pm
St. Dominics Regional H.S. @ Kents Hill, 6:15 pm
NEWHL @ Kent, 6:30 pm
Loomis-Chaffee @ Berkshire, 7:00 pm
Tilton @ Millbrook, 7:30 pm
SSA vs. Rye Country Day, 8:00 pm
Sun. Jan 10.
Holton Arms vs. Rye Country Day, 9:00 am
Tilton @ Canterbury, 11:00 am
Winchendon @ Millbrook, 1:00 pm
